Namibe: Environmental experts and researchers advocated over the weekend for urgent measures to halt the decline of seal colonies in Baa dos Tigres, Iona municipality, in south-western Namibe Province, an area under strong pressure from human activity.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the warning was issued on-site during a scientific expedition to Baa dos Tigres, which brought together technicians from the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry and Fisheries and Marine Resources, the National Fisheries Inspection Service, the Institute of Veterinary Services (ISV), as well as environmental specialists and law enforcement agents.
The expedition's experts highlighted that the decline has been ongoing since 2015, with the population decreasing from eight thousand to roughly 30 thousand animals, based on assessments carried out using drones.
Luciano Reis, a veterinarian from the "Marine World" organization, explained that analyses were conducted to screen for the H5N1 avian influenza virus, rabies, and brucellosis, in addition to complementary blood count and blood biochemistry tests.
The expedition also included the capture of three seabirds, namely two cormorants and a large seagull, which were subjected to sample collection for epidemiological screening.
Reis noted that one of the seals observed showed clinical signs compatible with a possible infection by the H5N1 virus, a situation that remains under investigation. He clarified that definitive confirmation will only be possible after the completion of laboratory analyses. The official results of the collected samples are expected to be released in the coming days by the organization coordinated by the Institute of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
